Clamping and clasping means



March 12, 1,935. K. A. R. ERFASS CLAMPING AND CLASPING MEANS Filed Nov. 22', 1932 Patented Mar. 12, 1935 UNITED v51.341155 A NT oFFIc IIF .Karl Axel Ragnar Erlass, Stockholm, Sweden I. 7

- Application-November 22, 1932, Serial No. 643,863

In Sweden August 19, 1932 Y 5 Claims.

' This invention refers to clamping and clasping means and-relates more particularly to a clasp used in holding together two or more pieces of fabric. v

An object 'ofthis invention is toprovide an inexpensive, simple and efiicient clasp which is particularly suitable for garters and similar accessoriesto wearing apparel,

Another object is to provide a clasp which can be used without having been previously sewn onto a fabric or a garment;

A further object is to increase the durability of a clasp by providing an article consisting of a few easily replaceable parts.

A still further object is to provide a clasp having parts which can be easily removed, so that new or different parts can be conveniently inserted in their stead.

Yet another object is to provide a safety clasp which cannot open by accident while being worn.

The above and other objects of this invention may be realized by providing a clasp having two gripping members and a loop-shaped bolt connecting said members and forming a double crank, the clasp being locked by a rotation of said bolt.

The invention will appear more clearly from the following detailed description when taken in connection with the accompanying drawing showing preferred embodiments of the inventive idea.

In the drawing:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of an open clasp.

Figure 2 is similar to Figure 1 and shows the clasp in a half-closed position.

Figure 3 is similar to Figures 1 and 2 and shows a closed clasp.

Figure 4 shows a completely open clasp on a larger scale.

Figure 5 represents a modification of the inventive idea.

The clasp shown in Figures 1 to 4 comprises two plates or gripping members 1 and 2 preferably made of sheet metal. The plate 1 is provided with a number of slightly bent teeth, shown in Figure 4, and is somewhat shorter than the plate 2. The

edge of the plate 2 which is furthest away from the plate 1 is bent in the form of the hook 8. When the clasp is closed the teeth of the plate 1 are situated in close proximity to the bent hooklike portion of the plate 2.

The two plates 1 and 2 are interconnected in a way similar to that in which the two parts of a hinge are connected. The middle portion of the edge of the plate 1 nearest to the plate 2 is bent to form a groove or bearing 7. The plate 2 is provided with two similar grooves or bearings 6 situated. on both sides of the bearing 7. The hinge bolt3 used for connecting the plates 1 and 2 consists of a loop-shapedmember having an intermediate portion 17 (Fig. 3) which is parallel to the-plates land 2, and end portions 18 and 19 (Fig. 4) bent in a direction towards each other. The end portion 18- has the shape of a crank and comprises two parallel eccentricportions 20 and 4; the portion 20 passes through one of the bearings 6, while the portion 4 is situated within the bearing '7. The crankshaped end portion 1900mprises two parallel eccentric portions 21 and 5; the portion 21 passes through the other one of the bearings 6, while the portion 5 is situated within the bearing '7. Due to this arrangement the bolt 3 forms a lever by means of which either one of the plates 1 and2 can be moved with respect to the other plate.

In operation, a piece of cloth 9, which may be a part of a corset, is placed over the hook-like edge 8 of the plate 2, as shown in Figure 1. Another piece of material, for instance a garter strap 10, is drawn through the intervening space between the rod-like portion of the bolt 3 and the inner edge of the plate 1, the end of the strap 10 being subsequently folded over the teeth of the plate 1 (Fig. 1). Then the plate 1 is pushed towards the plate 2 without changing the position of the bolt 3 until the clasp assumes the position shown in Figure 2 of the drawing. 1

In order to close the clasp the bolt 3 is swung from the position shown in Figures 1 and 2 into the position shown in Figure 3. While the bolt 3 is being moved the plate 1 swings downward towards the plate 2 until'the teeth of the plate 1 grip the fabrics l0 and 9 and press them against the inner curve of the hook-like portion 8 of the plate 2. In the position shown in Figure 3 the garter 10 and the corset 9 are firmly held together by the closed clasp.

The tension exerted on the garter 10 while the clamp is being used, will tend to maintain the bolt 3 in the locked position shown in Figure 3, so that the clasp cannot be opened inadvertently while in use.

The modification shown in Figure 5 is an adjusting clasp provided with a bolt 12 having the shape of a long and narrow wire member. The plate 14, which corresponds to the plate 2 of the form shown in Figures 1 to 4, is provided with a bent portion 15. A garter strap 16, or a similar piece of fabric passes through an opening formed in the plate 14 and is clasped by a plate 13 which can be moved by the bolt 12 and which is adapted to press the strap 16 against the bent portion 15 of the plate 14.

What is claimed is:

1. Clasping means, comprising two gripping members, a bearing forming a part of one of said gripping members, two bearings forming a part of the other one of said gripping members and adapted to be situated on both sides of the first-mentioned bearings, a hook-like bent portion forming a part of the second-mentioned gripping member, teeth formed on the first-mentioned gripping member, and a loop-shaped connecting member having end portions bent in a direction towards each other, each one of said end portions having the shape of a crank and comprising two parallel eccentric portions, one of the last-mentioned parallel portions passing through one of the second-mentioned two bearings, the other one of the last-mentioned parallel portions being situated within the first-mentioned bearing.

2. Clasping means, comprising two gripping members, at least one separate bearing forming a part of each one of said members, one of said members having a hook-like bent portion provided with an opening for a piece of fabric, the other one of said members having a plurality of teeth, and a crank-shaped connecting member having two eccentric and parallel portions, one of the last-mentioned portions being situated in a bearing forming a part of one of said gripping members, the other one of the last-mentioned portions being situated in a bearing forming a part of the other one of said gripping members. 3. Clasping means, comprising two gripping members, teeth formed on one of said gripping members, a hook-like bent portion forming a part of the other of said gripping members, and a connecting member comprising two parallel eccentric portions, each of said portions being connected with a separate gripping member.

4. Clasping means, comprising two gripping members, teeth formed on one of said gripping members, a hook-like bent portion forming a part of the other of said gripping members, and a member having eccentric portions pivotally interconnecting said gripping members, whereby one of said gripping members is rotatable and movable in a direction toward the other gripping member.

5. Clasping means, comprising two gripping members, teeth formed on one of said gripping members, a hook-dike bent portion forming a part of the other of said gripping members, a bearing forming a part ofone of said gripping members, another bearing forming a part of the other of said gripping members, and a connecting member comprising two parallel eccentric portions, one of .said portions passing through one of said bearings, the other of said portions being situated within the other of said bearings, whereby one of said gripping members is rotatable and movable in a direction toward the other gripping member.

KARL AXEL RAGNAR ERFASS. 

